A Big Night Out for Parachutists : Benefit for Israeli Group Honors Ex-Paratrooper Plitt

Gen. Alexander Haig wasn’t there. He was what parachutists call a refusal. “He stood at the door but wouldn’t go out,” Henry Plitt said of his fellow former paratrooper.

Nevertheless, if there were ever a parachutists’ party, this was it. Table centerpieces were parachutes anchored in beds of red roses. The baked Alaskas arrived with tiny plastic airplanes on board. And just thinking about some of the great moments in paratrooping history turned this crowd nostalgic.

Officially, the $250-a-person gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Thursday night was a fund-raiser for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, a nonpolitical organization that provides educational, recreational and cultural services to Israeli soldiers (“It’s Israel’s USO--it’s that simple,” said Lou Lenart, who directs activities in North America) and for Israel’s Open University. The evening coincided with Israel’s 41st Independence Day.

A War Hero

But the man of the hour, honoree Henry Plitt, was a war hero in World War II and a captain in the 101st Airborne Division who was among the first paratroopers to jump at Normandy. Though he is currently a Hollywood producer who recently sold his 700 Plitt Theaters to Cineplex Odeon, on this particular evening he was unquestionably Gen. Henry Plitt.

“Tonight, because of me, it’s a parachutists’ event,” he said. Plitt not only invited Maj. Gen. Amos Yarom, in charge of parachutists in Israel, but also retired Col. Salvo Rizza, who also served in the 101st Airborne, whom Plitt had only met earlier in the week at another party. “When he asked me to come, he said ‘Please wear your uniform,’ ” said Rizza, who indeed arrived at the black-tie event in his “formal mess.”

Seated with Plitt and his wife, Sedge, were his son, Sam, who also served in the 101st Airborne, and his 21-year-old grandson Henry II --in Army uniform and jumper’s boots--who currently serves in the famed unit. Also present were members of Machal, American volunteers who served in Israel’s war of independence.

A Few Snags

For anyone unaware of Henry Sr.’s talents, he left no doubts about his ability to command. The evening was replete with more than the usual number of snags--emcee Morey Amsterdam had not only forgotten to introduce Rabbi David Baron for the invocation, but he skipped over Maj. Gen. Yarom. To top it off, many guests were grumbling about seating mistakes. Before his cue, Plitt marched to the podium and restored dignity to the proceedings.

On hand to honor Plitt and for the cause were Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner and his wife, Judge Diane Wayne; Ruth and Harry Roman; Vidal and Jeanette Sassoon; Guilford and Diane Glazer; Fred Hayman and his son, Robert; Frances and Sid Klein; Nathan and Lily Shapell and Father Maurice Chase. Norm Crosby entertained after dinner.

The event, which raised $200,000 for the charities, was stylishly chaired by Ellen Byrens, Beverly Cohen and David Horne. Hal and Cynthia Gershman received a special award for establishing a family center at the Hatzor Air Base in Israel.